A modern-day Tea Party protest overtook downtown Tampa on Wednesday. No one spilled crates of Earl Grey into the already tea-colored bay, but there were a lot of American flags wrapped around shoulders and a few "Don't Tread On Me" flags flying in the breeze. The rally bemoaned the recent federal stimulus packages that bailed out bankers, investors and big-money industrialists. ...more

April 16, 2009

The Tea Parties in downtown Tampa on Wednesday drew hundreds of people protesting the federal stimulus package. Marlene Etzler of Tampa showed up at the noon protest wearing an Uncle Sam hat and toted signs and a "Don't Tread On Me" flag. "I wanted to come here to speak out to have my voice heard," she said. ...more

April 16, 2009

A motorcycle crash on Interstate 275 near downtown Tampa Sunday night killed the driver and critically injured a passenger, the Florida Highway Patrol said. ...more

April 13, 2009

Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita on Wednesday wanted to ask some hard questions of Jim Barnes, the commission's internal performance auditor. ...more

April 2, 2009

A downtown law firm is moving to Tampa Heights. Weekley Schulte Valdes plans to move into the former Ticor Title building, 1635 N. Tampa St., by May 25, said Chris Schulte, a partner in the firm that handles civil litigation. ...more

April 1, 2009

As the result of dwindling advertising revenues, WFLA, Channel 8, plans to discontinue its 11 a.m. newscast at the end of May. The announcement to end "News Channel 8 Midday" and other changes involving WFLA and The Tampa Tribune were made to the newsroom staff this morning by WFLA News Director Don North and Managing Editor for Online Loren Omoto. ...more

March 31, 2009

Supporters of mass transit say a penny increase in the sales tax would pay for mass transit that would alleviate traffic gridlock. ...more

March 30, 2009

Mayor Pam Iorio will explain her vision for rail and county officials will begin to lay out their transit plans during a meeting this afternoon of Hillsborough County's transportation task force. ...more

March 30, 2009

Planes, jets, helicopters and daredevil stunts are wowing the crowd at this year's MacDill AirFest. Thousands of people were standing in line at 11:30 a.m. to enter the gates, which opened at 8 a.m. Overhead, pilots put on flying demonstrations. A T-6 Star Fire performed a series of loops and rolls and several planes of different sizes performed fly-overs, including a B-25 Bomber. ...more

March 28, 2009

The SunTrust building dome will go dark for one hour tonight. The lights will be going out for Earth Hour. The event, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. around the world, is organized by the World Wildlife Fund to draw attention to global warming. ...more

March 28, 2009